Self-Assembling Biomimetic Hydrogels Having Bioadhesive Properties

A method of forming a solidified matrix fixed within the body of a mammal, the method comprising:

• suspending in an aqueous solvent:
• a) a biocompatible thermally-desolubilizable (TD) polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(ethylene oxides) (PEOs), poly(propylene oxides) (PPOs), copolymers of PEO and poly(lactide acid) (PLA), poly (n-isopropyl acrylamides) (PNIPPAms), mixtures and copolymers thereof, wherein the polymer exists in an extended form below a critical solution temperature (CST) that is lower than the normal body temperature of the mammal and in a condensed form at or above the CST;
• b) an aminated component of a mammalian extracellular matrix, in a releasable encapsulated form, wherein the aminated component is releasable from the encapsulated form within the body of the mammal;
• and
• c) a polymeric component of a mammalian extracellular matrix, the polymeric component bearing functional moieties capable of forming covalent bonds with both the aminated component and amine moieties at a tissue in the body of the mammal, and
• injecting the suspension to the mammal at a desired location for the matrix,
• whereby, following such injection, the polymer is transformed from its extended form to its condensed form, the aminated component is released from its encapsulated form, and the polymeric component binds with both the tissue and the aminated component, thereby forming the matrix fixed at the location.

A liquid composition for forming a solidified matrix within the body of a mammal, the composition comprising

• (a) an aqueous solvent having suspended therein mammalian cells selected from the group consisting of pluripotent cells, fibroblasts, and cells of a tissue contacted by the polymeric component following injection of the composition into the body,
• (b) a biocompatible thermally-desolubilizable (TD) polymer that exists in an extended form below a critical solution temperature (CST) that is lower than the normal body temperature of the mammal and in a condensed form at or above the CST;
• (c) an aminated component of a mammalian extracellular matrix (ECM), in a releasable encapsulated form, wherein the aminated component is releasable from the encapsulated form within the body of the mammal;
• and
• (d) a polymeric component of a mammalian ECM, the polymeric component bearing functional moieties capable of forming covalent bonds with amine moieties, whereby when the composition is injected into the body of the mammal, the polymer is transformed from its extended form to its condensed form, the aminated component is released from its encapsulated form, and the polymeric component binds with the aminated component, thereby forming the matrix.

A method of regenerating tissue in vivo comprising delivering to or into a mammalian tissue, a liquid composition comprising an aqueous solvent having suspended therein:

• (a) an aqueous solvent having suspended therein mammalian cells selected from the group consisting of pluripotent cells, fibroblasts, and cells of a tissue contacted by the polymeric component following injection of the composition into the body,
• (b) a biocompatible thermally-desolubilizable (TD) polymer that exists in an extended form below a critical solution temperature (CST) that is lower than the normal body temperature of the mammal and in a condensed form at or above the CST;
• (c) an aminated component of a mammalian extracellular matrix (ECM), in a releasable encapsulated form, wherein the aminated component is releasable from the encapsulated form within the body of the mammal;
• and
• (d) a polymeric component of a mammalian ECM, the polymeric component bearing functional moieties capable of forming covalent bonds with amine moieties,
• whereby when the composition is injected into the body of the mammal, the polymer is transformed from its extended form to its condensed form, the aminated component is released from its encapsulated form, and the polymeric component binds with the aminated component, thereby replacing the tissue.